The Black Eagles aerobatic team from South Korea at the Singapore Airshow 2014. The team will perform its heart-stopping stunts again at this year's show.

PHOTO: ST

There will be fewer thrills and spills when the Singapore Airshow rolls into town next month.

The total time for the much-anticipated aerobatic flying displays has been cut, taking into account air traffic requirements and the line-up this year, The Straits Times understands.

Singapore Airshow 2016 will run from Feb 16 to 21, with the first four days reserved for trade visitors and the last two for the public.

Instead of the usual daily flying display, there will be no show on the fourth day - the last day for trade visitors. Timings have also been adjusted for the other days.

There will still be two aerobatic flying displays on the public days, from 10.30am to 11.10am and again from 2.20pm to 3pm.

The last time the biennial event was staged in 2014, the time allocated was from 10.25am to 11.25am and from 3pm to 3.30pm. Perennial crowd favourite, the Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF's) Black Knights, will not take part in the upcoming show.

But visitors can still look forward to heart-stopping stunts by South Korea's Black Eagles, while the RSAF will showcase a duo team featuring the Apache attack helicopter and F-15SG fighter aircraft.

A spokesman for the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) said there is a need to "strike a balance between allowing time for the Singapore Airshow's aerobatic displays and minimising disruption to flights at Changi Airport".

During the flying display, the air space is closed.

In previous years, this had led to unhappiness among some travellers who were held up because their planes could not land or take off.

Airlines operating at Changi Airport have been given early notice of the aerobatic display periods, said the CAAS spokesman.

The authority is also working closely with the airport operator, Changi Airport Group, to facilitate airlines' adjustment of their flight schedules to take into account the flying displays.

While the aim is to minimise disruption to commercial flights, "some travellers may still face delays if their flights arrive during the scheduled flying displays", she said.

Aviation enthusiast Ow Eng Tiong, 42, who has attended every Singapore air show since 1990, said: "The South Koreans are taking part in the aerobatic flying display, so that is good. I am disappointed, though, that the F-22 (fighter aircraft) and A400M (military transport aircraft) which will be on static display are not flying.

"The organisers should also consider inviting the Royal Thai Air Force for future shows. They have a good flying team as well."

karam@sph.com.sg

SINGAPORE AIRSHOW 2016

From Feb 16 to 21, with first four days for trade visitors and the last two for the public. No show on the fourth day, the last day for trade visitors. Public aerobatic displays will be from 10.30am to 11.10am and again from 2.20pm to 3pm.

This article was first published on Jan 27, 2016. Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.